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It's Fun to Play the Piano ... Please Pass It On!

I'm not sure if sadness or anger is my primary emotion. Either way, it is all part of grief. Jerry was only 56 years old.

Many of you will remember that Jerry had gallbladder surgery in mid-January. Even with a month of recuperation, Jer had not strengthened as expected. Finally, on 2/21/13, he was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. He and Cozette were given the choice of treatment or following a natural course of events.

Jerry underwent two courses of chemotherapy at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Zion, IL. On 3/21/13, Jerry decided to go on Hospice, rather than continue with treatment.

He was surrounded with the love of his family and friends in his final days. He and Co had sponsored a number of exchange students and one of their exchange daughters flew from Hong Kong for a final visit. Such was the love which surrounded our dear friend.

Think of Jerry with a smile as you remember his delightful humor. Jerry always loved a "good one" and was the author of many.

Oh no, I am so sorry to hear this sad news. Jerry and I were the same age... I had no idea he was having health issues. He would complain a little about his back hurting, but he usually made a joke out of it.

He will be missed but not forgotten...

Thanks for sharing this news with us, Marty.

Rick

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Piano enthusiast and amateur musician: "Treat others the way you would like to be treated". Yamaha C7. YouTube Channel

So sorry to hear this terrible news. Gerry was a major contributor to this forum and Pianoworld is all the better for it. He had nearly 7000 posts and was one of the most respected members of the Pianoworld family. I'm in shock, I know we are not promised tomorrow, but it is always a shock when someone leaves us much too young.

That's so sad. I didn't know him personally, but whenever I saw posts with his name on the forum I knew something helpful and positive would be forthcoming.

When I bought my first grand piano, he left a nice comment in my thread. We'll miss him here.

My condolences to his family and friends.

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Playing since age 21 (September 2010) and loving it more every day."You can play better than BachMach2." - Mark_CCurrently Butchering:Chopin Ballade no 1 in G minor Op.23My Piano Diary: http://www.youtube.com/sirsardonicâ™Ş > $

Jerry and I had many PM''s about pianos, tuning etc. He was always very helpful. Back in 2005 when I first joined PW as a newbie, he politely explained that the ETD I was using was ok, but there were better ones out there...:) I also had tons of questions etc, he was always chiming in with his expertise, and in a cheerful way, which we all came to know here on PW.

When I started the "My piano in EBVT III" thread, he was right there giving us his opinions etc. At one point, I got a PM from him after he tuned EBVT III on his piano at home, and I believe Bill Bremmer went to his home to show him EBVT III, he asked me how to post on PW, a video he made of himself playing his piano in EBVT III...I suggested it would probably be better if he linked it to a YouTube channel. Here is that video that he posted in my EBVT III thread, around 6/22/12, and his YouTube link.

Jerry Groot is to Piano World as Roger Ebert was to movie criticism. It just hard to imagine either of those spaces without the presence of these eminent voices. It's a loss in that it leaves a void that will not be filled; the absence will be palpable.

Kurt Z.

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One who does what the Friend wants donewill never need a friend.

In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions to We Do Care, a fund helping families with hospitalized children with cancer. Donations can be sent to We Do Care, 759 Hachmuth NW, Comstock Park, MI 49321

One of Jerry's clients moved to my town in 2011 and brought their Yamaha G2 that Jerry had been servicing for many years. He PM'd me about the piano and said that it should be checked after the move and abrupt change in climate. I met with the owner and going through the piano I was amazed at the stability of the tuning. Also, very precise and clean action repairs and impeccable regulation. To know someone only by what their hand had done was truly inspiring. My new client had only wonderful words for Jerry and I felt like I had made a new acquaintance. I wish I had meet him because I can't get the picture of his avatar out of my head. For he is a Jolly good Fellow.

Wow. I'm completely stunned. I hadn't logged in to Pianoworld for months but today I decided to for some unknown reason. I think my subconscious told me to apparently.

I became friends with Jerry through Pianoworld when I first PM'ed him with advice for his hernia surgery (that I had also gone through)which he ended up following and was very thankful for. We then corresponded regularly about any and all sorts of subjects and without a doubt he was my favorite member here.

Even though I'm simply a DIY piano guy newbie he always had some good advice for me and helped me out when I installed my Dampp Chaser. He was always extremely helpful and always very cheerful in his chats. Even though we talked regularly about the details of our hernia operations, and a few other health issues, he never once mentioned a word about anything more serious.

I ended up telling him all sorts of things (mostly about my own health issues) that I hadn't told ANYBODY else simply because he was that easy of a guy to talk to.

I was actually looking forward to meeting him and maybe to do some fishing since we got along so well and he wasn't that far away.

I'm really really going to miss him around here. He was a real character here and this site simply won't be the same without him.